Connecting homeless families to a better future

A Good Time Was Had by All

Great food, great music, great volunteers and great weather were the main ingredients that concocted the successful 3rd Annual Glen Ellyn Backyard BBQ Cook-Off on September 10, 2011. An estimated 1,000+ people attended the free one-day event, raising over $19,000 to support Bridge Communities’ mission of helping homeless families in DuPage County transition to self-sufficiency, permanent housing and financial stability.

Event Chair Tom Koprowski summed up the event this way: “Someone was quoted as once saying, ‘It is not enough to have a good BBQ, the main thing is to use it well.’ and that’s exactly what we did!”

Bridge Communities Resource Development Director Amy Van Polen adds, “Bridge Communities is extremely grateful to the folks who created and coordinated the annual Glen Ellyn Backyard BBQ Cook-Off. It’s a really hard-working, fun-loving group, and they’re making a significant impact on our community, not only in creating a fun, downhome event, but by donating all of the proceeds to help homeless families right here in DuPage County.”

Forty amateur BBQ teams from throughout Illinois competed for tops prizes of best ribs, best dish (non-ribs), and best showmanship. And the winners are:

Best Ribs:

1st Hot Diggity Hog – Wheaton

2nd Smokin’ Tasty – Huntley

3rd Hone-e-s Barbeque – Downers Grove

4th Team Patriot – Glen Ellyn

5th Bawling Hawg BBQ – McCook

6th Porky Joes – Des Plaines

7th Boss Hog Smokin’ – Glen Ellyn

8th 2 K’s Que – Lisle

9th Rack Masters BBQ – Aurora

10th Running With The Boars – Hanover Park

Best Dish:

1st Running With The Boars – Hanover Park

2nd Team Highlife – Lombard

3rd Southside BBQ – Chicago

4th Bawling Hawg BBQ – McCook

5th Head’s Red BBQ – Roselle

6th Running With Scissors – Glen Ellyn

7th Hot Diggity Hog – Wheaton

8th Boss Hog Smokin’ – Glen Ellyn

9th Mile High BBQ – Normal

10th JJ’s BBQ – Plainfield

Showmanship: Smokin’ Tasty – Huntley

Winners of the first annual Bags Tournament were John Ideler and Steve Pasinski of “In It to Win It” of Glen Ellyn.

Bridge Communities is extremely grateful to all of the event committee members, sponsors, volunteers, contributors, BBQ teams, and attendees who came together as a community to have fun and raise critical funds to help DuPage homeless families transition out of homelessness into permanent housing and stability.

Special thanks to the following individuals and organizations, without whose help the BBQ would not have been possible: Village of Glen Ellyn and Glen Ellyn Police Department; Village Links Golf Course; Alex Demos and Professional Paving and Concrete; Danny Sronkoski and Tap House Grill; Bill Murray; Paul Pitts and Glen Ellyn Park District; Eric Bruss and Bruss Landscaping; Mychelle Prichard, “The Hot Dog Lady”; and Matthew Whiteford and Whiteford’s “Love Your BBQ!”